Wedding Rings [Hardcover]

Osnat Gad (Author), Zeva Oelbaum (Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 2004

A lavishly illustrated history of wedding ring traditions documents their first known uses in ancient Egypt through the incorporation of various metals and stones, in a volume that includes photographs of both vintage and modern designs. 20,000 first printing.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An acclaimed ring designer traces the evolution of wedding rings in this pretty, square-shaped book. According to Gad, rings have endured as emblems of love and fidelity for centuries, ever since cavemen tied bits of hollow grass around their brides’ fingers. From ancient Egyptian gold to 21st-century titanium, the ring has graced the fingers of lovers across cultures, varying in design and ritual but remaining a fundamental symbol of union. Gad organizes her chapters chronologically so that they detail how each new development enriched the ring’s appearance and often its meaning: the improved craftsmanship of enamel, filigree and pave; the origins of inscriptions; the diamond boom in South Africa and the influx of gems from the New World are all discussed. Arriving at the modern era, Gad explains how Americans fashioned their rings to reflect aesthetic movements (Art Deco designs) and silver-screen romance (when Tiffany’s wedding bands became de rigeur). Zeva Oelbaum’s gauzy, softly lit photographs capture the detail of bands from vintage to ultra-modern, classically simple to exotically ornate. The more dazzling photographs (of Harry Winston’s supersized diamonds, for instance) are a nice touch of hedonistic appeal. A few handy guides to quality, settings and care round out this paean to the ring.
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About the Author

OSNAT GAD has been a leader in the design, manufacture, and sale of wedding rings for more than 25 years. Her company, OGI, is the purveyor of Gad's signature stackable wedding bands, which have been featured in major fashion magazines.

ZEVA OELBAUM's photographs have been published in such periodicals as The New York Times Magazine, House Beautiful, Art & Antiques, and Metropolitan Home.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori and Chang (November 10, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584793759
• ISBN-13: 978-1584793755
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 6.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,693,606 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Account of Wedding Rings, February 5, 2005

By 

L. Weiss "bibliophile" (London) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wedding Rings (Hardcover)

This jewel of a book tells you all you could hope to know about the history and folklore of wedding rings, and does so in a delightful highly readable fashion. The book is strewn with literary quotes and has an ample supply of beautiful photos and illustrations.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, comprehensive read, May 28, 2006

By 

Wooster "M.R.U." (Madrid, Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Wedding Rings (Hardcover)

I bought this book on impulse, as it came up when I was finalizing another purchase; and of all the books that arrived together this has been the one I have read, and thumbed through most often.
It offers a clear, concise Wedding-Ring History and Traditions, with clear, color pictures. The reading is easy and entertaining (it will be even more if you are planning your own wedding). If you buy it together with "With this Ring", you will get a great sense of the traditions (and fun) around wedding rings and their selection.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Gem!, November 13, 2006

By 

Jessica D. Fliss - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Wedding Rings (Hardcover)

I found this book to be beautifully written and extremely informative. The images from around the world are gorgeous! A perfect book for a bride to be!!!